11 replies to this topic

[Delapool]

Just out of curiosity I've been seeing threads all over the place on saltwater and maybe cichlid keeping declining. Not a lot but just here and there some comments. Wondering if somewhat possible or just comes and goes?

 

One suggestion has been the expense of saltwater. I know I've completely shelved the idea of a saltwater tank until job market improves but still very keen to get going on cichlids.

 

 

[chrishaigh82]

Our main tank is in my clinic where I get to Chiropractic it up and talk to people during the day.  I'm actually surprised at how many patients keep cichlids who come through our clinics.  

 

There is obviously selection bias for this as people will start the conversation "hey, I keep cichlids" or "my folks/partner keep them".  I assume the bias would be consistent that all people that keep fish may start the same conversation and cichlids come up as frequently as gold fish and I haven't met a mariner in the clinic.  I definitely have had loads of businesses ask questions about the the tank, maintenance, species and stocking.

 

You may be correct that there is a shift, I'm always surprised at how cheap some of the used tanks come up for sale, in fact I often think I'm not sure I'd trust that on my lounge room carpet.  Perhaps there are some hobbyists that have loved their cichlids (and grown colonies on a smaller budget) have found the overheads have outstripped the profits from the tanks and have chosen to retire the habit.

 

Perhaps the shift you are feeling may encourage new lines into the hobby in perth rather than less.  I am biased as our LFS (in canning vale) has been amazing and ordered rarer stock from abroad where perhaps shops would not of if there was bulk local stock.

 

I've friends that have other freshwater fish in their clinics, friends that have large saltwater tanks.  Personally I don't think anything is as colourful and as bad ass as cichlids, I think costs aside the africans (well chosen) are entertaining and beautiful to look at and the inner scientist loves the diversity we see in individual species depending on its cove.

 

Delapool, I actually fear it is worse than you think.  Goldfish/cichlids/rays are out.  From the last auction its all about the shrimp

[bigjohnnofish]

you only have to look at cichlid forums and fb pages to see interest is fading... small pockets of enthusiasts about but i tend to think as a whole you're right delapool

[humbug]

Interest in certain aspects of the hobby goes in cycles.  As in all areas of life, there’s lots of “sheep” who seem to follow the mob.  Marine was all “the thing” about 12-18 months ago, but certainly here in Adelaide we are now seeing a hell of a lot of marine set-ups for sale cheaply on Gumtree.  Many people have moved on to shrimp now.  Who knows what the next fad will be.
 

Typically, cichlids make up around 40% of the hobby.  Things are slower in the hobby now than they have been for a while.  When times are a bit tougher in the economy, people seem to cut back a bit on discretionary spending, and aquariums are one of the items that lose out.  As a result of a slower time in the hobby, then obviously there are less people keeping cichlids.
 

One thing I have noticed over the past few months - there seems to be a real trend towards people hunting out good quality cichlids.  I think people are starting to realise that the $5 cheapies from Facebook groups aren’t really the “value” that they first appear.  I’m getting the impression that hobbyists are becoming more discerning, and are happy to do the research to hunt out dedicated breeders and specialist shops.  They are happy pay a bit more for healthy, colourful, quality fish, even if it means buying a few less, or taking a bit longer to build a collection.  I personally see that as a real positive for the cichlid hobby going forward!

[Jules]

I think the value and or lack of species these days is part to blame, I personally have an interest in exotics, oddballs and Tank busters however look around and the availability of them these days is so far between, part due to restrictions on what we can bring in (interstate) and I assume the costs (as a lot of TBs and Exoticcs have some what doubled and tripled in price in the last 5 years or so - excluding bass and rays which are everywhere now)

 

In saying that I have set up a marine nano tank so I'm joining that hype of group soon  

Edited by Jules, 09 August 2016 - 08:42 AM.

[Peckoltia]

It's all relative Jules. 

 

5-10 years ago people would be frothing at the thought of the rays available now. Similarly all the different species of Bass. Can't just exclude the good stuff that is available now and focus on the negatives. Exotics are around, just need to be willing to part with the dough for them and have the money available when they do come up, because they don't last long. Sure it isn't 'the glory days' of times gone by, but it isn't the doom and gloom floor kicking situation that people make out. 

 

I have seen some high end exotics very recently in some perth keepers tanks. 

 

Has also been an influx of larger growing rare L numbers. Nothing wrong with big Panaque sp, make great show pieces.

 

I'll take different species of stingrays and high end hybrids over RTC etc any day of the week.

 

Seems the cichlid scene is slow at the moment, but like previously stated, it is all cyclical. 

Edited by Peckoltia, 09 August 2016 - 12:59 PM.

[bigjohnnofish]

biggest problem associated with the "cycle of fish" this time round is a lot of people desperate to make money have flooded the cichlid market with the rarer cichlids and basement prices - this in a whole is contributing to the cichlid downturn as a lot of people in this hobby like to breed new species and at least get some return on fry to pay for some food / running costs and maybe a little profit to buy another species...  but cichlid prices have crashed and crashed hard so a lot of hobbyists dont keep them anymore and look for something a bit more profitable like shrimp - guppies - L cats etc... .leading to the disappearance of a lot of species.... im sure a few die hard pcs members can list a good number of species already lost ??? i cant cause cichlids to me are feeders  but i understand how important it is to keep as many different species as possible for the future... same with catfish and a lot of others too.... smuggling in of fish is pretty much a thing of the past with all the new technology catching people... and who wants to smuggle in a fish thats worth nothing anyway...  so start keeping some species for the future or they will be many more lost....

if pcs is dead set serious about cichlids they should really have a register or something with what breeds are being kept and what isnt and what needs to be kept for the future... because at some point the economy might just pickup and theres going to be a demand for cichlids once again....

even though they are just cichlids it'd be a shame to tell your kids we used to be able to get these but they died out because price bottomed out and no-one wanted to keep them for the future.... 

[malawiman85]

Agree with all of the above.
I think technology has had a bit of an impact too.
Its never been easier or cheaper to keep marines, shrimp, planted tanks, etc.

[malawiman85]

I would be interested to see what LFS reckon. Is fishkeeping declining or are the hobbyists just diversifying a bit more.

Edited by malawiman85, 10 August 2016 - 12:26 PM.

[bigjohnnofish]

well to me its fairly obvious with the decline in the number of LFS in last few years... many have shut the doors simply because they are not making any money..... some stores try to stay afloat running at a loss hoping the good times will return from years gone by.... but inevitably fall over anyway... 

[Ageofaquariums]

We haven't seen a decline, but we certainly have more varied customers. Frog tanks, crab tanks, anemone communities, wabi kusa etc

With the huge diversity of tech available, the hobby seems less about fish sometimes and more about product. But it sure helps find the perfect tech for a certain tank build.

Perhaps customers are just more independent these days?

 

How many of the questions asked here would have traditionally been asked at a LFS and equated to a product sale?

 

We can't go back in time, but I think older stores that take advantage of the internet can still do well.

[Fox]

Maybe if shops advertised on the pcs more often then things would seem better.
From experience when I advertised flat out cichlids flew out the door.
But then again that was many moons ago.
All the good breeders have gone into hiding or have shut down.
If and when the economy recovers so will hobbies.